Mo's Christmas Fairy Holly

I'm a renowned Christmas tragic and I also love fairies so this gorgeous image of Mo's has been a favourite of mine since I first saw her over a year ago - her name is Christmas Fairy Holly. The green and white striped DP I've used has a soft flocked texture to it and I just couldn't cover too much of it up as it feels pretty cool - LOL. It's also fabulous contrast to the red and creates a fun and festive look. The chipboard sentiment is from Scrapmatts.

Copics Used - Skin (E21, E11, E000, R20, R11) plus R89, R29, R24, YG67, YG63, YG61, E47, E44, E43, E43, E41, E40, E13, T2, T0, Y08, B000

Lace and Pearls in La La Land

This week at La La Land Crafts we are using pearls and lace in our projects. I have fallen in love with Christmas Elf Marci and just couldn't go past using her again this week although I chose non-traditional colours and LLLC dies for a bit of fun.

As well as our BLOG where you can check out inspiration from my amazing teamies, La La Land Crafts also have a Facebook Page HERE and La La Lands Facebook Group HERE. We love seeing your amazing creations using La La Land Stamps and Dies.

La La Land Dies - 

Street Lamp

Water Lily Die

Copics Used - 

Skin - E21, E11, E00, E000, RV11(lips)

Hair and Shoes - E44, E43, E43, E40, Y19

Clothes - RV11, RV10, RV00, RV0000, G21, G20 

Candy Cane and Holly Leaves and Berries - RV34, RV29, RV11, C2, C0, G28, G24

It's Time to Celebrate

Yay I FINALLY got my card finished with the fabulous freebie (for the 27th September only) specially drawn for Zoe's birthday by Barbara of Little Miss Muffet Stamps. If you want to find out HOW you can grab her for yourself and WHY she's a freebie for today only then scroll down to my post below.

Hatter Zoe started off as a fairly proper little Miss but then I had some fun adding some "Zoe elements" to her and she turned out rather shabby chic. What is a "Zoe element" you may ask - well the white edges painted onto the Kraft and the use of the muslin are things I have "explored" with Zoe during crafting times and they remind me of her.

Copics Used - Skin (E21, E11, E000, R20, R11) plus E89, E77, E47, E43, E42, E41, E40, RV66, RV63, RV10, RV00, RV000, YG99, YG93, Y19

It's Zoe's Birthday!

Today is Da Boss Lady's birthday over at Make it Crafty and we thought it would be fun to share the excitement of today and as a fun way to get everyone involved we have a surprise for you!! Check out this gorgeous Zoe Hatter image especially drawn for Zoe by Little Miss Muffet Stamps with her hat full of Aussie gum leaves and flowers. It will be available as a freebie for today only!! If you want to play along, just email Barbara at ( ForgottenScraps@gmail.com ) and as long as it's September 27th anywhere in the world then the offer is still open!! We'd love you to come along and share your creations with us on our FB page HERE. 

I'll be back a little later with mine - it's school holidays here and I'm running a little late!

Happy Birthday Zoe!! 

It's a Western Challenge at Sparkle Creations

This week there's a new challenge starting over at Sparkle's Creations - it's a Western theme and I just couldn't go past colouring up Cowboy Josh. I decided to have a bit of fun with him and blobbed on some dark grey to give him cow hide chaps - the perfect job for someone of my limited drawing skills - LOL.

The saloon doors were cut with my Cameo - a fun backdrop for this little cutie - although I'm sure he's only ever ventured into the Saloon for some milk and cookies!

Don't forget to check out the rest of the gorgeous DT inspiration at the SCRSC Blog.

Copics Used - Skin (E21, E11, E000, R20, R11) plus C10, C2, C0, E57, E55, E53, E51, E19, E18, E13, R39, R29, R24, Y19, Y13, B97, B95, B91

Magnolia Down Under Challenge #165

This week at  Magnolia Down Under Challenges we're asking you to create using White on White - although you can use colour for your image. White on white is all about dimension and texture to give definition to the different elements.

I started with an embossed background and layered up 3 gazebos I cut using my silhouette cameo. The centre of the gazebo is spaced further apart than the sides to add more dimension. Some lace and pearls add more texture to the gazebo. I also used two Magnolia dies - the tree and the poinsettia. Some punched leaves add a bit more texture.

Check out what the rest of our fabulous DT have created to inspire you on our BLOG

Copic Used - Skin (E21, E11, E000, R20, R11) plus C2, C0, C00, E44, E43, E42, E40, YG67, YG63, YG61, YG0000

La La Land September Release

This week we are showcasing the AMAZING Christmas and Halloween release from La La Land Crafts - and I just LOVE them! In fact I couldn't stop at just one card I ended up making FOUR - so sit back,  scroll down and I hope you love these guys as much as I do!

Christmas Elf Marci

Holly Flourish Die

Copics Used - 

Skin - E21, E11, E000, R24, R20, R11

Hair - E44, E43, E42, E41, E40

Clothes - YG67, YG63, YG61, Y19, E44, E43, E42, E40, gold spica

Holly and Berries - R89, R37, R24, T0

Candy Cane - R89, R37, R24, YG67, YG63, YG11

Christmas Elf Luka

Christmas Tree Die

Copics Used - 

Skin - E21, E11, E000, R20, R11

Hair - E33, E31, YR31

Clothes - BG78, BG75, BG72, E44, E43, E42, E41, E40, Y19, gold spica

Presents - BG75, BG72, BG70, C2, C00, E43, E42

Lil' Devil Marci

Dies -

 Creepy Vines Die

Frightful Fence Die

Rolled Rose Die - medium

Copics Used - 

Skin - E21, E11, E000, R20, R11

Hair and Lips - R89, R29, R24

Clothes - R89, R29, R24, 100, T8, T6, T4, T2

Vampire Luka

Dies - 

Scary Tree

Frightful Fence

Eerie Bats

Copics Used - 

Skin - C2, C0, C00, E000, R01

Hair - E47, E44, E43, YR27

Clothes - T8, T6, T4, T2, 100, YR27, YR23, YR20

And here's the FULL release for you to check out - 8 fabulous images AND 7 wonderful dies....

As well as our BLOG where you can check out inspiration from my amazing teamies, La La Land Crafts also have a Facebook Page HERE and La La Lands Facebook Group HERE. We love seeing your amazing creations using La La Land Stamps and Dies.

Mo's Dream Team Blog Hop

This month Mo's Dream Team are hopping along to the theme "School" as chosen by our hostess with the mostest this month - the wonderful Jak. If you want to start at the beginning of the hop then Jak's BLOG is where you want to be!

For my card I decided to go the High School route as my kids are a little older. I was inspired by my daughter's recent FB post "Sit outside in the beautiful sunshine or go to a tax lecture? What to do, what to do..."  - LOL. I chose one of the three teen images from the fabulous Dani and Friends set. I hand wrote the title of the book to tie into the study theme - but she doesn't look like she's studying much history does she - LOL.

Your next stop on the hop is the always learned Miss Mina.

And here's the blog hop order in case you get lost along the way - the links are on my left sidebar under Mo's logo-

Jak, Gretha, Kerttu, Jane, Julie, Debby.Y, Heidy, Alice, Debbie, Mina, Pops

Copics Used - Skin (E21, E11, E000, R20, R11) plus 100, C10, C6, C4, C2, C0, C00, V17, V15, V12, YR16, YR00, YR0000, YG67, YG63, YG61, YG0000, E43, E42, E41, E40, Y19, B06, B02, BG0000, R85

Tickled Pink Stamps is Sponsoring Cupcake Craft Challenges

This week Tickled Pink Stamps is proudly sponsoring Cupcake Craft Challenges where the theme is "Script and Gold". I used Lil Christmas Pinkette Pippa on my card - I've had her sitting all coloured up for a while now and thought since I was starting my Christmas cards it was time she came out to play!

This is soooo sparkly IRL with the frame cut from green glittered cardstock and the sentiment embossed with glittery gold powder. And with this lushly ornate Spellbinders frame my card really needs little extra embellishing.

Copics Used - Skin (E11, E00, E000, R20, R11) plus YR07, YR04, E77, R29, R27, R22, YG67, YG63, C2, C00

Another Make it Crafty Angel

I just love the new angels from Make it Crafty with their chubby little cheeks and beautiful expressions. I've paired this cutie with a kraft doily I die cut and some fabulous Make it Crafty chipboard - I just love the dimension they add to any project. The touches of white "paint" add a fabulous distressed look to the chipboard too - and it all co-ordinates well with the ragged muslin and distressed edges. 

Make it Crafty Image - 

Angel Fluffy Cloud

Make it Crafty Lasercut Chipboard - 

Wings of Love

Swirly Corners

Copics Used - Skin (E21, E11, E000, R20, R11) plus C2, C0, C00, E08, YR23, Y08, Y00, B06, B05, B21, B000, B0000, E43, E42, E40

Wish Upon a Star in La La Land

This week in La La Land we are Wishing Upon a Star. I've always thought there was something a little magical about stars and faeries and found a poem to tie them together for my project - I used the first 4 lines of the poem on my card but here's the rest of it for you if you're interested......

Believe in the Faeries
That make dreams come true,
Believe in the wonder
The Stars and the Moon
Believe in the Magic
From the Faeries above,
They dance on the Flowers
And sing Songs of Love
And if you just Believe
And always Stay True
The Faeries will be there
To Watch over You!

(Author Unknown)

The stars were cut using my cameo and then I spritzed them with sheer shimmer mist to give them a heavenly glow. Marci's wings are covered in "fairy dust" (aka glitter) to add to the ethereal fun!

Don't forget to check out the rest of the inspiration from the LLLC DT Stars on our blog HERE.

La La Land Image - Rose Faerie Marci

Copics Used - 

Skin - E21, E11, E000, R24 (lips), R20, R11

Hair - E35, E08, R59

Clothes - Y28, Y26, Y21, Y11, T2, T0

Wings - Y26, Y11, Y0000, T2, T0

Roses - YG67, YG63, T2, T0, Y0000 

Mo's Little Miss Bossy

I just think this little gal from Mo Manning is too cute - her name is "Bossy" - for obvious reasons - LOL. I chose a sentiment that I thought would suit her and also could be used for many occasions by finishing it off inside - such as No Way...I couldn't have missed your birthday or No Way...you're seriously not THAT old are you? I'm sure I'll find just the right ending when I need to.

I'm happy with how the simple blue and white colour scheme worked out too.

Copics Used - Skin (E21, E11, E000, R20, R11) plus E44, E43, E42, E41, E40, C8, C6, C4, C3, C2, C0, B99, B97, B95, B91

Sunshine with Sparkle Creations

This week we're starting a new challenge at Sparkle Creations with a bright and cheery theme - "You are my Sunshine". I chose to use Shopping Emily for my card and paired her with a sentiment and sun stamp from The Craft's Meow. I love to go crafty shopping with my friends - it always add a sunny smile to my day!

You can check out the rest of the DT inspiration and challenge details on the SCRSC Blog.

Copics used - Skin (E21, E11, E00, R20, R11) plus E44, E43, E42, E41, BG78, BG75, BG72, Y26, Y21, Y11, R56, R27, W3, W2

Magnolia Down Under Challenge #163

This week at Magnolia Down Under Challenges we have a colour challenge for you - Red, White and Silver. I though it would be the perfect combo to get working on another Christmas card. 

I used one of my favourite Tilda's from last year's Christmas release and stamped her in a pale ink. You can see how this changes the look of the stamp in my close-up on the left. This "no lines" technique is a little bit more challenging than regular colouring but the effect is well worth the effort. The chipboard sentiment is from Scrapmatts.

Make sure you head over to the Magnolia Down Under Challenge BLOG to check out what the rest of our fabulous DT have created to inspire you.

Copics Used - Skin (E13, E11, E00, E000, R20, R11) plus R29, R27, R24, R22, C6, C4, C2, C0, C00, E89, E44, E43, E42, E41

Sparkle Creations Preview Blog Hop - Soccer Josh

Apologies to those that hopped along yesterday - I had a bit of a mix-up with my time conversions - my Videogame Oliver preview card is in the post below this one....

This is the second image from Sparkle Creations that I have the honour of previewing during my GDT time here this month - this is Soccer Josh. My son is a keen soccer player so I was rapt to have an image to play with that he would like. I cut the net out using my Cameo and used my son's soccer colours as a base.

Be sure to visit all rest of the SCRS designers for more peeks of Soccer Josh. Sparkle will be giving away Soccer Josh to one lucky person! For a chance to win, you need to comment on all of the designer's blogs (list below). Then head on over to the SCRS blog and comment on the Soccer Josh post. You have until midnight EST each day to comment. The lucky winner will be announced on Monday!

Danielle Lounds

Debbie Pamment - September Guest Designer

Joni Wilson

Kim Yu

Piali Biswas

Shaela Odd 

Simonne Clay

Sparkle Smith 

Stephanie Kraft 

Yvonne Yam

Copics Used - Skin (E21, E11, E000, R20, R11) plus C8, C6, C4, C2, C0. E19, R27, B18, B16, B14

Sparkle Creations Preview Blog Hop - Videogame Oliver

September is an exciting month - I've been asked to be the GDT for Sparkle Creations and have the  pleasure of joining the DT to showcase this fabulous new image called Videogame Oliver. I was excited to be a part of this release as I have a 14yo son and this guy is perfect for his age group. I popped him on a card I cut out using my Cameo - the file is from Silhouette and easily converted into a card. I used some Kaiser twinklets for the control buttons - just colouring them appropriately with my copics!

Be sure to visit all rest of the SCRS designers for more peeks of Videogame Oliver. Sparkle will be giving away Videogame Oliver to one lucky person! For a chance to win, you need to comment on all of the designer's blogs (list below). Then head on over to the SCRS blog and comment on the Videogame Oliver post. You have until midnight EST each day to comment. The lucky winner will be announced on Monday!

Danielle Lounds

 Debbie Pamment - September Guest Designer

 Joni Wilson

 Kim Yu

 Piali Biswas

 Shaela Odd 

Simonne Clay

 Sparkle Smith 

Stephanie Kraft

 Yvonne Yam

Copics Used - Skin (E21, E11, E000, R20, R11) plus B97, B93, B91, B21, C7, C6, C4, C2, C00. R39, R29, R24, YR31, E35, E33, E31

La La Land is in Bloom

Recently I've seen some stunning creations by our very own LLLC Boss Lady Irina using just the dies from LLLC. Since this week's theme is flowers I decided to have a go at making a stamp free card myself - unheard of I know - LOL.

I've always loved old movies and this quote from Audrey Hepburn inspired this work - of course having the gorgoeus Eiffel Tower die from LLLC to use helped a lot too - LOL. The rolled roses were tipped with white before rolling, these dies are soo easy to use - I use a quilling tool to help roll mine.

Don't forget to check out the amazing inspiration from the rest of the LLLC DT on our BLOG - I'm sure you can get your stamped images fix there if you need it  ;-)

La La Land Dies used - 

Eiffel Tower Die

Butterfly from Butterflies Set 1 Dies

Rolled Rose Small and Medium Dies

A Mo Christmas Ornament

Last year I bought some fabulous clear plastic Christmas ornaments that open up in half making them easy to decorate. I have several decorations for my tree featuring Mo Mannings cute images and decided to add to my collection. I printed out this cute elf called Sticky so that he would fit inside. I've popped him on a glittered rosette to add some dimension and use some of the space inside. I used some chunky clear glitter on the candy cane to look like sugar crystals.

On the flip side I glittered up the background and added a pre-painted chipboard sentiment from Scrapmatts and a small flower spray.

I took the first 2 photos without the ornament put together so you could see the details without any reflective glare  - but this photo shows Sticky inside the ornament - doesn't he look cute?!?!?! Now I just have to wait until December and find a spot to showcase him on my tree!

Copics used - Skin (E21, E11, E000, R20, R11) plus YG67, YG63, YG03, YG01, R39, R29, R24, E47, E44, E43, E42, E41, E19, E17, E13, Y19, Y06

Sizing Digital Stamps to Suit Your Project

Recently on Facebook a friend posed the question - "What size do you print your digis?".  I must admit I was rather surprised how many people responded with a specific size as I nearly always size to suit the project I am working on - this is one of the joys of a digi image - you aren't restricted to one size! Since I have a fairly simple technique for choosing what size to use I thought I would share - but be warned - I'm a visual person so there are lots of pictures.

I use Microsoft Word to import my photos in to print and I discovered that if I set the screen to show the page at 100% then what prints out is fairly close to the size on the screen. This works out well with my computer but it may pay to check with yours - you can always change the size on your screen by using the slider at the bottom to change the percentage.
 

Now it's time to insert the image you want - I've chosen this cute angel from Make it Crafty. When she opens up she is nearly 12cm (~5") tall.

Unfortunately this is too big if I want to use this Spellbinder frame in my project - so I hold the frame up to the computer screen and drag the corner of the image to re-size to fit.

Then I thought I may use a round Spellbinder so I pop the one I want over the image and it's too small so I need to re-size to fit so I drag the corner to make it bigger.

That's better - now she fits!

I also use this method if I want to use a particular frame like this chipboard one from Make it Crafty. Please note I have left the extra chipboard in the frame to protect it - I'll be sure to remove it before I use it on my project.

Here are my angels in all three sizes to suit my different frames.

The other thing I use my frames for is to format the images on my page for printing so I give myself enough space around to cut them out after printing.

I also use my screen to work out if I have space to print an image onto a scrap of paper if I'm only printing one image - I hold the scrap over the image - you can see it peering through faintly. I like to use all the scraps I can - LOL.

And here they are printed and cut out using the different sizes.

I managed to card up one of the gals - here she is - the largest one set into the Circle Flourish Frame.

I hope this has been a little bit of help to someone - please ask if you have any questions.

Make it Crafty Products -
Angel Singing Carols
Circle Flourish Frames
Swirly Corners Chipboard 

Copics Used - Skin (E21, E11, E000, R20, R11) plus E44, E43, E42, E41, Y28, Y19, Y00, Y0000, YR14, B0000